Greek Roma mothers’ relationship with education: aspirations and expectations regarding the educational future of their children

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper explores Greek Roma mothers’ aspirations and expectations regarding the education of their children, analysing responses regarding three core issues: the value they ascribe to education, their educational aspirations, and their perceived resources for supporting their children’s education. The analysis is based on 27 in-depth interviews with Greek Roma mothers of 3–6 or 9–11 years-old children living in the broader Athens metropolitan area. The Super and Harkness’ theoretical framework of developmental niche guided the study. Thematic analysis according to Braun and Clark was employed for data analysis. Consistent with previous research, this study showed that Greek Roma mothers recognised the importance of school attendance and the positive effect it could have on their children’s lives in terms of upward social mobility and improvement in their standard of living. Their educational aspirations were high, and the role of poverty was a major factor in shaping attitudes towards schooling. Understanding their values and beliefs provides a more thorough perspective on designing social-educational interventions with the use of more culturally appropriate approaches.